Chrysanthemum plant named `Sandusky`

ABSTRACT

A Chrysanthemum plant named Sandusky particularly characterized by its flat capitulum form; daisy capitulum type; yellow ray floret color; diameter across face of capitulum of 70 to 79 mm when fully opened, when grown as a pinched spray pot mum; photoperiodic flowering response to short days of 50 to 56 days; plant height with 14 long days after sticking unrooted cuttings, and with 0 to 1 applications of 2500 ppm B-9 SP, ranges from 23 to 30 cm when grown as a pinched pot mum with four (4) cuttings in a 15 cm pot; branching pattern is spreading and prolific, each plant having 4 to 6 laterals after pinch; and recommended as a spray pot mum.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum, botanically known as Dendranthema grandiflora, andreferred to by the cultivar name Sandusky.

Sandusky, identified as 6281 (90-184004), was originated from a crossmade by Cornelis P. VandenBerg in a controlled breeding program inSalinas, Calif., in 1989.

The female parent of Sandusky was an unnamed seedling identified as 4170(86-469002) and described as a pot spray mum with flat capitulum form;daisy capitulum type; yellow ray floret color; diameter across face ofcapitulum of 57 to 70 mm when grown as a spray pot mum; floweringresponse to short days in Salinas, Calif. of 50 to 59 days; plant heightof 23 to 33 cm when grown with 15 to 16 long days after stickingunrooted cuttings prior to start of short days and one (1) applicationof 2500 ppm B-9 SP; and a branching pattern of 3 to 5 lateralsdeveloping after pinch. The female parent was discarded from allprograms on Dec. 7, 1989.

The male parent of Sandusky was an unnamed seedling identified as 1777(83-811010), and described as a pot spray mum with flat capitulum form;daisy capitulum type; white ray floret color; diameter across face ofcapitulum of 70 to 76 mm when grown as a spray pot mum; floweringresponse to short days in Salinas, Calif. of 53 to 62 days; plant heightof 20 to 30 cm when grown with 15 to 16 long days after stickingunrooted cuttings prior to start of short days and 2 to 3 applicationsof 2500 ppm B-9 SP; and a branching pattern of 3 to 4 lateralsdeveloping after pinch. The male parent was discarded from all programson Oct. 30, 1990.

Sandusky was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated cross by Cornelis P. VandenBerg in May 1991, in acontrolled environment in Salinas, Calif.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Sandusky was accomplished whenvegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in July 1991in a controlled environment in Salinas, Calif., by technicians workingunder supervision of Cornelis P. VandenBerg.

Horticultural examination of controlled flowerings of successiveplantings has shown that the unique combination of characteristics asherein disclosed for Sandusky are firmly fixed and are retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

Sandusky has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and daylength, without,however, any variance in genotype.

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in Salinas, Calif. under greenhouse conditions which approximatethose generally used in commercial greenhouse practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Sandusky, which, in combination, distinguishthis Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Flat capitulum form.

2. Daisy capitulum type.

3. Yellow ray floret color.

4. Diameter across face of capitulum of 70 to 79 mm when fully opened,when grown as a pinched spray pot mum.

5. Photoperiodic flowering response to short days of 50 to 56 days.

6. Plant height with 14 long days after sticking unrooted cuttings, andwith 0 to 1 applications of 2500 ppm B-9 SP, ranges from 23 to 30 cmwhen grown as a pinched pot mum with four (4) cuttings in a 15 cm pot.

7. Branching pattern is spreading and prolific, each plant having 4 to 6laterals after pinch.

8. Recommended as a spray pot mum.

The accompanying photographic drawings show typical inflorescence andleaf characteristics of Sandusky, with the colors being as nearly trueas possible with illustrations of this type.

Sheet 1 is a color photograph of Sandusky grown as a pinched spray potmum with four (4) cuttings in a 15 cm pot.

Sheet 2 is a black and white photograph of three views of theinflorescence of Sandusky.

Sheet 3 is a black and white photograph showing the upper and undersides of the leaves of Sandusky at three stages of development (mature,intermediate and immature). In sheets 2 and 3, a measuring tape incentimeters has been added.

Of the commercial cultivars known to the inventor, the most similar incomparison to Sandusky is the cultivar Yellow Dana, disclosed in U.S.Plant Pat. No. 8,330. Reference is made to attached Chart A, whichcompares certain characteristics of Sandusky to the same characteristicsof Yellow Dana.

Similar traits are capitulum form and type, ray floret color, andrecommendation as a spray pot mum. Sandusky has a smaller diameter ofcapitulum than Yellow Dana, and a faster flowering response to shortdays of 1 to 3 days. The plant height of both cultivars is comparable,although in several trials Sandusky exhibited a shorter plant height. Inseveral trials, Sandusky also developed one more lateral after pinchthan Yellow Dana.

In the following description color references are made to the RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determined onplant material grown as a pinched spray pot mum in Salinas, Calif. onApr. 29, 1994.

Classification:

Botanical.--Dendranthema grandiflora cv Sandusky.

Commercial.--Daisy spray pot mum.

INFLORESCENCE

A. Capitulum:

Form.--Flat.

Type.--Daisy.

Diameter across face.--70 to 79 mm when fully opened.

B. Corolla of ray florets: Color (general tonality from a distance ofthree meters).--Yellow. Color (upper surface).--5A. Color (undersurface).--6B. Shape.--See photograph.

C. Corolla of disc florets:

Color (mature).--15A.

Color (immature).--144B.

D. Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--Present on disc florets only; no pollen.

Gynoecium.--Present on both ray and disc florets.

PLANT

A. General appearance:

Height.--23 to 30 cm when grown as a pinched pot mum with four (4)cuttings in a 15 cm pot with 14 long days after direct sticking unrootedcuttings prior to start of short days, and 0 to 1 applications of 2500ppm B-9 SP.

Branching pattern.--Spreading and prolific, with 4 to 6 laterals afterpinch.

B. Foliage:

Color (upper surface).--147A.

Color (under surface).147B.

Shape.--See photograph.

                  CHART A                                                         ______________________________________                                        COMPARISON OF SANDUSKY AND YELLOW DANA                                        CHARACTERISTICS                                                                             SANDUSKY    YELLOW DANA                                         ______________________________________                                        Ray floret color                                                                            Yellow      Yellow                                              Capitulum form                                                                              Flat daisy  Flat daisy                                          and type                                                                      Diameter across face                                                                        70 to 79 mm 76 to 80 mm                                         of capitulum                                                                  Flowering response                                                                          50 to 56 days                                                                             53 to 57 days                                       Plant height with                                                                           23 to 30 cm 28 to 30 cm                                         14 to 16 long days                                                            Branching pattern                                                                           4 to 6 laterals                                                                           4 to 5 laterals                                     Recommended as                                                                              Spray pot mum                                                                             Spray pot mum                                       ______________________________________                                        COMPARISONS MADE OF PLANTS GROWN AS                                           PINCHED SPRAY POT MUMS IN                                                     SALINAS, CALIFORNIA                                                       

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant named Sandusky, asdescribed and illustrated.